Chapter 5 Did She Really Leave?

Below the trending topic were accompanying photos.

Raymond and Nora dining together at a hotel, with a pink diamond necklace gleaming conspicuously around Nora's neck.

This necklace was the one Raymond had bid a million dollars for at an auction half a month ago.

Some had speculated he'd bought it as a birthday gift for Mrs. Murphy.

Turns out, it was meant for the newly returned Nora all along.

Only then did Jocelyn snap back to reality.

Today wasn't just Nora's birthday—it was hers too.

With a masochistic impulse, she scrolled through the comments. Plenty of netizens were gushing about how perfect they looked together, a match made in heaven.

She even spotted a photo in the comment section.

A picture of Raymond and Nora together at a bar.

[Didn't Mrs. Murphy just publicly declare yesterday that her marriage was rock solid? What's this supposed to be?]

[Maybe Mrs. Murphy's personally covering for her own husband. Mr. Murphy and Nora have probably been together all along.]

[If you don't know the facts, don't spread rumors. Mr. Murphy and Nora were always meant to be together. If Jocelyn hadn't schemed her way into the Murphy family, Nora and Mr. Murphy would have kids in school by now.]

Most of the following comments were insults directed at her. Jocelyn couldn't bear to read more and turned off her screen.

Yesterday when he summoned her to that hotel—was it really to protect Nora's reputation? Or was it to make her look like a desperate woman willing to throw away her dignity just to keep her husband?

Or perhaps, both?

Her phone suddenly rang. Seeing the unfamiliar number, Jocelyn froze.

It was a video call from Nora.

Jocelyn stared blankly at the screen. After it went dark, the caller persistently tried again.

On impulse, Jocelyn answered.

The video showed a lively scene—clearly inside a bar.

Jocelyn recognized several familiar faces, all friends Raymond hung out with regularly.

But none of them seemed to notice Jocelyn watching.

She quickly understood—Nora had deliberately made this video call, deliberately wanted her to see this.

Jocelyn was about to hang up when the shouting on screen caught her attention.

"Toast! Toast!"

Raymond sat on a couch with Nora pressed close beside him, smiling gracefully.

A familiar voice came through the phone: "Raymond, you and Nora haven't seen each other in years. It's Nora's birthday—you've got to drink a lovers' toast at least!"

Byron Brooks—the one who used to smile when saying her name.

Several others immediately chimed in agreement.

Nora bit her lip shyly, gazing at Raymond's profile with nostalgic longing.

"Stop it, guys. Things are different now. Raymond's married."

Byron scoffed and shook his head. "If only you'd been the one to marry Raymond back then."

"Seriously. Nora, you're not just beautiful—you're kind-hearted and have such a sweet personality. You and Raymond are the real perfect match."

"Plus you saved Raymond's life. The fact you two didn't end up married is the biggest tragedy."

Raymond didn't stop his friends' mockery. Instead, he took a melancholic sip of red wine.

The commentary continued.

"If Jocelyn hadn't schemed her way in and manipulated Mr. William into letting her marry into the Murphy family, you two would've been married ages ago."

"Exactly. Nora and Raymond are soulmates. What a shame they got torn apart."

Jocelyn stared at the screen, expecting Raymond to speak up and stop their slander.

But he didn't.

He showed no sign of reproach whatsoever.

Her heart still ached.

Then Nora spoke, her voice gentle and gracious: "Please don't say that. Maybe... Raymond and I just weren't meant to be."

She lowered her head, a note of melancholy in her tone.

"As long as Raymond's happy, that's enough for me. I'll always cherish this friendship."

She lifted her eyes, gazing at Raymond with tender affection.

Finally Raymond reacted. He looked down at Nora with a tenderness Jocelyn had never seen directed at her.

He smiled softly, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'll always cherish you too."

Then he raised his glass, crossed arms with Nora, and drank the lovers' toast.

Cheers erupted around them.

Jocelyn couldn't watch anymore. Her fingers trembling, she ended the call.

In his eyes, she would forever be the schemer who'd manipulated her way into marriage and torn him from his true love.

After what felt like an eternity, her phone buzzed with a message.

From Nora.

[Did you see? Even after five years, Raymond's heart has no room for you. Stop fooling yourself.]

Yes. For five years, she'd been the only one fooling herself.

So today, she would end it all!

Jocelyn didn't reply. She began packing her belongings.

Five years of marriage, and everything she owned fit into a single suitcase.

Dragging her luggage into the living room, she quietly surveyed her surroundings.

She'd thought this would be her home. Turned out it never was.

Since this wasn't her home, it was time to leave.

Walking out of the villa, she hailed a cab straight to the airport.

Meanwhile, Raymond's phone on the table kept buzzing.

Irritated, he answered.

"Sir," the housekeeper Mary said cautiously, "Mrs. Murphy just... packed her things and left."

Silence on the other end.

"Left?"

"Yes, sir. With a suitcase. She said she was going to the airport."

Raymond gripped his phone, brow furrowing.

Instinctively, he glanced at Nora beside him. She was laughing and chatting with others, but sensing his gaze, she looked back warmly.

"Raymond, what's wrong?"

Raymond looked away and said into the phone, "Got it."

Then hung up.

He picked up his glass and took a drink, inexplicably irritated.

Left?

What game was she playing this time?

After a moment's thought, Raymond finally dialed Jocelyn's number.

But each time, only a cold automated message responded.

Clearly, Jocelyn had blocked him.

So he opened her chat window. After a few seconds' hesitation, he simply sent a question mark.

An exclamation point appeared in response—message failed to send.

Perfect! This time she was really committing to the act—she'd actually blocked him!

Sensing his mood shift, Nora leaned closer, her soft body pressing against his arm.

"Raymond, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Jocelyn left."

A flash of triumph crossed Nora's eyes, gone in an instant.

"Left? You mean she ran away from home? Why... Could she have misunderstood us? Raymond, maybe you should go home and smooth things over. She's only doing this to get your attention. Women get jealous when it comes to the men they love. I... I don't want you two fighting because of me."

Raymond's anger instantly dissipated. He let out a cold laugh.

"Of course it's another manipulative stunt! She never changes! Since she loves playing games so much, let her play all she wants!"

However, when he returned home past midnight, he discovered that everything belonging to Jocelyn was gone!